Pro doctrinis et disciplinis – For Teaching and Learning
Today I ‘graduated’ as a chartered Teacher (20th July 2019). A long road over 15 months with lots of challenges and hard work. The first cohort of about 90 teachers from across the country. But was it worth it?
It all started in 2017 reading a TES article on the new Chartered College of teacher and the request to participate in the pilot cohort of Chartered Teacher Programme.
Having recently returned to teaching I though it would be a great way to support my development as a returnee classroom teacher, it certainly was!
Having previously achieved the CSciTeach (Chartered Science Teacher) which required a detailed evaluation of work against the standards, which I achieve as part of the second cohort I thought the CTeach programme would be the same. How wrong was I!
Over 14 months we had to:
- Write a development plan with termly evaluations and developing it through writing a regular journal
- Take part in webinars and discussion groups on different aspects of education (assessment, policy, recruitment)
- Carry out a peer reviewed impact project – I chose developing numeracy skills with challenging classes.
- Create a video portfolio of improving practice – I chose a challenging year 8 group and looked at how TAs can be more effectively utilised
- Carry out a final M Level research project – I chose developing Science Capital in my teaching.
The whole programme made me really focus on my teaching and how I can make a real difference to my students. It has also laid the foundations for developmental work in my consultancy business working with other schools and teachers.
So was it worth it?
I definitely believe so, I’m better informed about education policy, I was even able to hold my own in conversation with Sir Tim Brighouse about the future direction of education.
I better understand assessment and now realise a lot of assessment practices carried out in schools are not valid or appropriate for individual student needs.
And, most importantly, I think I’m delivering better lessons too.
Should others do the programme?
As Dame Alison Peacock, Chief Executive of the college said on graduation, “not all teachers will become Chartered Teachers” but the best will. Some are happy delivering what they have always delivered, but some of us really want to spread some magic and make a real difference to young people and their lives.
The CTeach programme it is not for everyone. But if you really believe in lifelong learning and making a difference to young people then why would you not?
Finally, although a hard road to complete it would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of the College!
- Chartered College of Teaching: https://chartered.college/
- Association for Science Education: https://www.ase.org.uk/csciteach
- Chartered Teacher Programme: https://chartered.college/chartered-teacher